Cross compatible adapter for chimney sections with common outer diameters

ABSTRACT

An adapter and adapter system for coupling a female end of a first chimney portion to a male end of a second chimney portion. The adapter includes a first radial adapter portion, wherein a first inner surface and a first outer surface of the first radial adapter portion are coaxial. The adapter further includes a first locking interface protruding outward from the first outer surface and configured to engage with a first locking interface of the first chimney portion. The adapter further includes a second radial adapter portion with a second inner surface and a second outer surface extending along the first axis and a second locking interface protruding inward from the second inner surface and configured to engage with a second interlocking interface of the second chimney.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/853,378, entitled “CROSS COMPATIBLE ADAPTER FOR CHIMNEY SECTIONSWITH COMMON OUTER DIAMETERS” and filed on May 28, 2019, which isexpressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and method foradapting a first chimney portion to a second chimney portion.Specifically, for an adapter that allows a first type of chimney portionhaving a first diameter and/or mounting interface to be coupled with asecond type of chimney having a second diameter and/or mountinginterface.

BACKGROUND

Chimneys or flue gas vents are required in many structures to allow forthe proper flow of gasses from a chimney or gas vent. Certain chimneyshave a double wall construction and are required to be able to withstanda specific amount of heat for a specified period of time in order tocomply with residential or commercial codes. Double wall chimneys may beassembled in sections and typically have some type of mounting interfacethat allows each section to be connected to another section. A specificmodel or brand of chimney may have a specific diameter, exteriordimension, and/or mounting interface which may not be cross-compatiblewith other specific models or brands of chimneys having differentdiameters, exterior dimensions, or coupling interfaces. The currentdisclosure seeks to solve the aforementioned deficiencies of the presenttechnology by providing an adapter that allows a first type of chimneyis typically incompatible with a second type of chimney to be properlyconnected.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DETAILEDDESCRIPTION. This summary is not intended to identify key features ofthe claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid indetermining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure an adapter configured toconnect a female end of a first chimney portion to a male end of asecond chimney portion is disclosed. The adapter may include a firstradial adapter portion with a first inner surface and a first outersurface extending along a first axis and wherein the first inner surfaceand the first outer surface are coaxial. The adapter may further includea first locking interface protruding outward from the first outersurface and configured to engage with a first locking interface of thefirst chimney portion. The adapter may further include a second radialadapter portion with a second inner surface and a second outer surfaceextending along the first axis, wherein the second inner surface and thesecond outer surface are coaxial and a second locking interfaceprotruding inward from the second inner surface and configured to engagewith a second interlocking interface of the second chimney portion. Thefirst outer surface may be configured to be received within the femaleend of the first chimney portion and the second inner surface may beconfigured to receive the male end of the second chimney portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an adapter systemconfigured to connect a female end of a first chimney portion to a maleend of a second chimney portion is disclosed. The adapter system mayinclude an adapter having a first radial adapter portion with a firstinner surface and a first outer surface extending along a first axis.The first inner surface and the first outer surface may be substantiallycoaxial. The adapter may further include a first locking interfaceprotruding outward from the first outer surface and configured to engagewith a first locking interface of the first chimney portion. The adaptermay further include a second radial adapter portion with a second innersurface and a second outer surface extending along the first axis,wherein the second inner surface and the second outer surface arecoaxial and a second locking interface protruding inward from the secondinner surface and configured to engage with a second interlockinginterface of the second chimney portion. The first outer surface may beconfigured to be received within the female end of the first chimneyportion and the second inner surface may be configured to receive themale end of the second chimney portion. The adapter system may furtherinclude an inner sleeve configured to fit within the adapter, the firstchimney portion, and the second chimney portion; and a clamping ringconfigured to interface with and couple a first chimney portion flangeof the first chimney portion and a second chimney portion flange of thesecond chimney portion.

Additional advantages and novel features of these aspects will be setforth in part in the description that follows, and in part will becomemore apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of thefollowing or upon learning by practice of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed to be characteristic of aspects of thedisclosure are set forth in the appended claims. In the description thatfollows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawingswith the same numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale and certain figures may be shown inexaggerated or generalized form in the interest of clarity andconciseness. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred modeof use, further objects and advantages thereof, will be best understoodby reference to the following detailed description of illustrativeaspects of the disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an example adapter andsections of a chimney in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the example adapter andsections of the chimney of FIG. 1 in a connected state in accordancewith one aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the assembled example adapter andsections of the chimney of FIGS. 1 and 2 along section X-G in accordancewith one aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a close-up cross-sectional view of the assembled exampleadapter and sections of the chimney of FIG. 3A in accordance with oneaspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the example adapter of FIGS. 1-3B inaccordance with one aspect of the disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the example adapter of FIGS.1-4 in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following includes definitions of selected terms employed herein.The definitions include various examples and/or forms of components thatfall within the scope of a term and that may be used for implementation.The examples are not intended to be limiting. Further, it will beobvious to one skilled in the art that the present invention may bepracticed without these specific details. In other instances, well-knownmethods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail soas to not unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention.

Throughout the disclosure the term substantially may be used as amodifier for a geometric relationship between elements or for the shapeof an element or component. While the term substantially is not limitedto a specific variation and may cover any variation that is understoodby one of ordinary skill in the art to be an acceptable variation, someexamples are provided as follows. In one example, the term substantiallymay include a variation of less than 10% of the dimension of the objector component. In another example, the term substantially may include avariation of less than 5% of the object or component. If substantiallyis used to define the angular relationship of one element to anotherelement, one non-limiting example of the term substantially may includea variation of 5 degrees or less. These examples are not intended to belimiting and may be increased or decreased based on the understanding ofacceptable limits to one of ordinary skill in the art.

For purposes of the disclosure, directional terms are expressedgenerally with relation to a standard frame of reference when thechimney or gas vent pipe and adapter are installed and in an in-useorientation.

Throughout the disclosure the terms flue or gas vent pipe, chimney, orgas flue may be used interchangeably. A flue or gas vent pipe mayinclude any pipe that allows for fluid flow. Some examples may includeexhaust pipes for the exhaust of fumes from a fireplace, furnace,heater, boiler, oven, cooktop or other cooking device; a dryer vent; anatural gas, propane stove, or heater vent, to name a few non-limitingexamples. The flue or gas vent pipe may be have a circular, oval,square, rectangular, or any enclosed geometric shape. In some examples,chimney, flue, or gas vent pipe may be single walled or double walled.

The present disclosure is related an adapter system configured to jointwo or more sections of a chimney which may be chimneys from differentmanufacturers and/or models having different inner and/or outerdiameters, dimensions or geometries at the terminal ends of the chimneysections. Likewise, an adapter in accordance with the current disclosuremay allow for the proper interface of two or more chimneys or chimneysections that are typically incompatible with one another to becross-compatible. For example, the mounting interfaces of each of thechimney sections may have different connection interfaces and/or mayhave differing geometry which would result in gaps at the interface ofthe two or more chimneys. Amongst other advantages, the adapter mayallow for a decrease in the brands and/or types of chimneys that must beinventoried and/or improved efficiency when the chimney or chimneysections are installed on site by technicians. The adapter may furtherprovide a leak resistant and high-temperature resistant seal between thetwo chimneys and/or sections of chimneys, to name a few additionalexample advantages.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a respective exploded view and an assembled view oftwo sections of chimney joined via an example adapter system or adapterin accordance with one aspect of the disclosure. It is noted that all ofor some of the components 200 described in detail below may beinterchangeably referred to as an adapter or as an adapter systemthroughout the disclosure. The following description of FIGS. 1 and 2serve as a broad overview of an example adapter system and adapter andfunctionality of the example adapter system and adapter in accordancewith the current disclosure. Further details of the features referencedin FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described in further detail below. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the adapter system 200 may be configured to join a firstsection or portion of first chimney portion 100 with a second section orportion of the second chimney portion 300, which may be connected toform a chimney or part of a chimney. In one example, the first portionof chimney may, for example, be a first brand and/or model of chimneyhaving a first chimney portion male interface 101 b and a first chimneyportion female interface 105 a. In one non-limiting example, the firstchimney section 100 may be a Ultra-Temp® and/or Galva-Temp® chimneysection by Selkirk Corp., of Grand Rapids, Mich. The second chimneyportion 300 may, for example, be a second brand and/or model of chimneyhaving a second male interface 309 b and a second female interface 305a. For example, the second chimney portion 300 may, for example, be aSuperVent U.S.A.® brand chimney section by Selkirk Corp., of Richardson,Tex. In one example, the first chimney portion female interface 105 amay not be directly compatible or capable of being properly joined withthe second male interface 309 b due to differences in the dimensionsand/or mounting interface features. The example adapter system 200described herein is configured to couple the first chimney portion 100to the second chimney portion 300 despite the aforementioned differencesbetween the mounting interfaces between the two chimney portions.Further, a first radial adapter portion 202 a may fit within the firstchimney portion female interface 105 a of the first chimney portion 100and a second radial adapter portion 202 b may be capable of receiving asecond male interface 309 b of the second chimney portion 300. Thefitment of the first radial adapter portion 202 a within the firstchimney portion female interface 105 a of the first chimney portion 100and the fitment of the male interface 309 b of the second chimneyportion 300 within the second radial adapter portion 202 b may result ina minimal increase in the overall assembly height (e.g., the height ofthe assembled chimney sections in the Z-direction) of the chimneyportions 100 and 300 by only a thickness of the adapter or portion ofthe adapter assembly or system 200.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 1-3A, the first chimney portion and/orchimney section may be a double walled first chimney portion 100 havinga radial outer surface 102. The first chimney portion 100 may beconfigured to twist-and-lock with a similar chimney portion or othersection of chimney (not shown) via the first chimney portion maleinterface 101 b, which may include a series of locking features 103 b asa series of protrusions that are configured to interact with a series oflocking protrusions that may be similar or identical to lockingprotrusion(s) 129 a that are described in further detail below. Thefirst chimney portion 100 may further comprise a first chimney portionfemale interface 105 a with a flange 109, which may be configured totwist-and-lock with another section of chimney or another chimney (notshown) that has a male end similar or identical to the first chimneyportion male interface 101 b of the first chimney portion 100. Thus,when a series of first chimney portions 100 are used to form a chimneyor part of a chimney, each individual chimney portion can twist-and-locktogether with one another to form a single chimney or part of a chimney.Further details of the example mounting features of the first chimneyportion 100 at the first chimney portion female mounting interface 105 awill be described in further detail below.

The examples in FIGS. 1-3A also show a second chimney portion 300. Thesecond chimney portion 300, may, for example, also employ a doublewalled construction and may have a radial outer surface 302. The secondchimney portion 300 may further include a include the second chimneyportion male interface 309 b, which may include a series of lockingfeatures 302 b, which are described in further detail below. The secondchimney portion 300 may further comprise a second female interface 305a, which may be configured to twist-and-lock with another section ofchimney (not shown) that has a male end similar or identical to thesecond chimney portion male interface 309 b of the second chimneyportion 300. Further details of the example mounting features of thesecond chimney portion 300 will be described in further detail below. Asmentioned above, the first chimney portion female interface 105 a mayhave an inner dimension that is not large enough to receive and/or maynot be compatible with the male interface 309 b of the second chimneyportion 300, the locking features of the first chimney portion 100 andthe second chimney portion 300 are not directly compatible and/orcapable of properly interlocking with one another. Further, attemptingto directly connect the first chimney portion female interface 105 a ofthe first chimney portion 100 with the second male interface 309 b ofthe second chimney portion 300 may result in gaps or openings that maynot be acceptable for proper function of the chimney and/or to complywith regulations or codes. As described below, the adapter system 200may allow for a proper coupling of the first chimney portion 100 withthe second chimney portion 300 despite any incompatibility between thefirst chimney portion female interface 105 a and the second chimneyportion male interface 309 b.

The adapter system 200 may, for example, include an inner sleeve 201,which may function to prevent buildup of material (e.g., creosote orsoot) at the interface between the inner surfaces of the first chimneyportion 100 and the second chimney portion 300. The adapter system 200may further include an adapter having a first radial adapter portion 202a and a second radial adapter portion 202 b. The first radial adapterportion 202 a may include an inner side surface, which may hereinafterbe interchangeably referred to as a first inner surface and an outerside surface, which may hereinafter be interchangeably referred to as afirst outer surface that extends along and is substantially symmetricalwith relation to a first axis 12 (FIGS. 1, 4, and 5). The inner side andouter side surface may form an inner side circumferential surface and anouter side circumferential surface having a first radial adapter innerradius and outer radius respectively. The first radial adapter portion202 a may further include a top portion 211 a that may be connected toand form a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the inner sidesurface and outer side surface of the first adapter portion 202 a. Inaddition, the first radial adapter portion 202 a may include a series offirst locking interfaces 207 (best shown in FIG. 3B). The first lockinginterfaces 207 may be formed as protrusions that extend outward from theouter surface of the first radial adapter portion 202 a. In one example,the first locking interfaces 207 may each form a portion of an openingor cut 255 in radial adapter portion 202 a. For example, each opening orcut 255 may be formed when the protrusion of each of the lockinginterfaces 207 is formed. As described in further detail below, thefirst locking interfaces 207 may interact with corresponding firstchimney locking protrusions(s) 129 a of the first chimney portion 100and allow for connection of the first chimney portion with the secondchimney portion via the adapter system 200.

The second radial adapter portion 202 b may include an inner sidesurface, which may hereinafter interchangeably be referred to as ansecond inner surface, and an outer side surface, which may hereinafterbe interchangeably referred to as a second outer surface that extendsalong and is substantially symmetrical with relation to a first axis 12(FIGS. 1, 4, and 5). The inner side and outer side surface form an innerside circumferential surface and an outer side circumferential surfacehaving a second radial adapter inner radius and outer radiusrespectively. As shown in FIG. 3B, in one example the second radialadapter inner radius and outer radius may be greater than the firstradial adapter inner radius and outer radius respectively. The secondradial adapter portion 202 b may further include a top portion 211 bthat may be connected to and form a surface that is substantiallyperpendicular to the inner side surface and outer side surface of thefirst adapter portion 202 a. The second radial adapter portion 202 b mayinclude a series of second locking interfaces 229 (best shown in FIG.3B). The second locking interfaces 229 may, for example, be formed asprotrusions that extend in a radially inward direction from the innersurface of the second radial adapter portion 202 b. As described infurther detail below, the second locking interfaces 229 may interactwith corresponding second chimney locking protrusions(s) 302 b of thesecond chimney portion 300 and allow for connection of the first chimneyportion with the second chimney portion via the adapter system 200.

It is noted that while only a single locking interface of both the firstlocking interface 207 and the second locking interface 229 are labeledin FIGS. 1-5 for simplicity purposes, the first radial adapter portion202 a and second radial adapter portion 202 b may include a plurality ofeach of the aforementioned interfaces as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5. Forexample, the first radial adapter portion 202 a may include eight of thefirst locking interfaces 207. In the aforementioned example, the eightfirst locking interfaces 207 may be evenly spaced around thecircumference of the first radial adapter portion 202 a. Further, thesecond radial adapter portion 202 b may include eight of the secondlocking interfaces 229, for example. The aforementioned eight secondlocking interfaces 229 may be evenly spaced around the circumference ofthe second radial adapter portion 202 b.

The adapter system 200 may further include a series of tabs 203 forconnecting the first radial adapter portion 202 a to the second radialadapter portion 202 b. Each of the plurality of tabs 203 may be fastenedto the first radial adapter portion and the second radial adapterportion using any suitable method. In one example, each of the pluralityof tabs 203 may be inserted into respective receiving slots (not shown)of the first radial adapter portion 202 a and the second radial adapterportion 202 b. For example, the tabs may be connected to the firstradial adapter portion 202 a and the second radial adapter portion 202 bvia welding, or may be fastened using an adhesive or fasteners such asrivets, screws and/or bolts to name a few examples.

The adapter system 200 may further include an insulation member 206. Asshown in FIG. 1, the insulation member 206 may be formed as a ring. Inone example, the insulation member may be formed of a ceramic materialcomprising any one or a composite comprising kaolinite(Al₂Si₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄), (hafnium diboride (HfB₂) and zirconium diboride(ZrB₂); hafnium nitride (HfN), zirconium nitride (ZrN), titanium carbide(TiC), titanium nitride (TiN), thorium dioxide (ThO₂), or tantalumcarbide (TaC), to name a few examples. As shown in FIG. 3B, theinsulating member 206 may be configured to fit within the first radialadapter portion 202 a at a location proximal to the first inner sidesurface of the first radial adapter portion. Thus, when the adaptersystem is installed at the interface between the first chimney portion100 and the second chimney portion 300, the insulating member 206 mayprevent excessive heat from transferring out of the assembled chimneyfrom the interface between the first chimney portion 100 and the secondchimney portion 300.

FIG. 3B shows a detailed close-up cross-section view about section X-G(FIGS. 2 and 3A) of the interface between the adapter system 200 and thefirst chimney portion 100 and second chimney portion 300. As shown inFIG. 3B, the first radial adapter portion 202 a may be configured to fitwithin the first chimney portion female interface 105 a of the firstchimney portion 100. In one example, the first chimney portion femaleinterface 105 a of the first chimney portion 100 may include ahorizontal radial inner surface 125 a, a vertical radial inner surface126 a, and a spacing protrusion 127 a. It is noted that while only asingle spacing protrusion 127 a is shown in FIGS. 3B and 4B, a pluralityof spacing protrusions may be provided at the first chimney portionfemale interface 105 a of the first chimney portion 100 to decrease heattransfer between the sections of chimney. The first chimney portionfemale interface 105 a of the first chimney portion 100 may furtherinclude a first chimney locking protrusion 129 a. It is noted that whileonly one first chimney locking protrusion is shown in FIG. 3B, thevertical radial inner surface 126 a of the first chimney portion 100 mayinclude a plurality of first chimney locking protrusions similar oridentical to the first chimney locking protrusion 129 a. In one example,the first chimney portion female interface 105 a of the first chimneyportion 100 may include a series of eight first chimney lockingprotrusions 129 a, which may be evenly spaced or substantially evenlyspaced along the inner circumference of the vertical radial innersurface 126 a. Each one of the first chimney locking protrusions 129 amay be formed as may be formed as a protrusion facing radially inwardand may include a cut or opening as shown in FIG. 3B. In anotherexample, the first chimney locking protrusion(s) 129 a may be indents oran elongated protrusion which may curve and/or be angled with relationto the vertical radial inner surface 126 a. In one example, theaforementioned curve and/or angle of the first chimney lockingprotrusion 129 a may allow the first chimney portion 100 totwist-and-lock or rotate-and-lock to the first radial adapter portion202 a of the adapter system 200 via engagement with the first lockinginterface or interfaces 207 of the first radial adapter portion 202 a.

The second radial adapter portion 202 b may be configured to receive asecond male interface 309 b of the second chimney portion 300. In oneexample, the second male interface 309 b of the second chimney portion300 may include a horizontal radial surface 301 b, a vertical radialinner surface 303 b, and a flange 331. The second male interface 309 bof the second chimney portion 300 may further include a second chimneyportion locking protrusion 302 b. In one example, the second chimneylocking protrusion 302 b. It is noted that while only one second chimneylocking protrusion 302 b is shown in FIG. 3B, the vertical radial innersurface 303 b of the second chimney portion 300 may include a pluralityof second chimney locking protrusions similar or identical to the secondchimney locking protrusion 302 b. In one example, the second maleinterface 309 b of the second chimney portion 300 may include a seriesof eight second chimney locking protrusions 302 b which may be evenlyspaced or substantially evenly spaced along the inner circumference ofthe vertical radial inner surface 303 b. Each one of the second chimneylocking protrusions 302 b may be formed as a protrusion facing radiallyinward and may be formed as an elongated protrusion which may curveand/or be angled with relation to the vertical radial inner surface 303b of the second male interface 209 b. In one example, the aforementionedcurve and/or angle of the second chimney locking protrusion 302 b mayallow the second chimney portion 300 to twist-and-lock orrotate-and-lock to the second radial adapter portion 202 b of theadapter system 200 via engagement with the second locking interface orinterfaces 229 of the second radial adapter portion 202 b.

The adapter system 200 may further include a clamping ring 204. Theclamping ring 204 may include a curved surface with a first flange 223and a second flange 225 which may be configured to interface with andconnect a subsequent flange 131 of the first chimney portion 100 and aflange 331 of the second chimney portion 300 once the first radialadapter portion 202 a, second radial adapter portion 202 b and innersleeve 201 is installed as described below. In one example, the clampingring 204 may have a split and a tightening portion (not shown), thetightening portion may include any known method including a tighteningapparatus used in a hose clamp, for example, and/or a screw or bolt toname a few non-limiting examples.

The adapter system 200 may further include an inner sleeve 201. Theinner sleeve may include a first portion 215 configured to mate with topportion 211 a of first radial adapter portion 202 a. The inner sleeve201 may further include an inner portion 217 that forms a radial surfacethat extends along first axis 12. As best shown in FIG. 3B, the innerportion 217 of the inner sleeve 201 may block or seal off a gap that isbetween the first chimney portion 100 and the second chimney portion 300once the adapter is installed to connect the two chimney portions 100and 300 to form a single chimney or chimney section. The adapter mayprevent the buildup of creosote and/or soot at the interface between thefirst chimney portion 100 and the second chimney portion 300.

It is noted that while the adapter and/or adapter system 200 shown inFIGS. 1-5 are shown as separate components, in one example first radialadapter portion 202 a, inner sleeve 201, second radial adapter portion202 b may be joined permanently to form a single component. In oneexample the first radial adapter portion 202 a and the second radialadapter portion may be joined via aforementioned tabs 203. Further, theinner sleeve 201, first radial adapter portion 202 a and second radialadapter portion 202 b may be formed as a single component or may bejoined using any suitable method. For example, first radial adapterportion 202 a and/or second radial adapter portion 202 b and innersleeve may be welded or fastened together using adhesive or fastenerssuch as rivets, screws and/or bolts to name a few examples. Further, theinsulation member 206 may be contained between the first radial adapterportion 202 a, the second radial adapter portion 202 b and/or the innersleeve 201 when the adapter assembly is assembled. Further, theinsulation member 206 may, for example, be adhered and/or connected toone of the first radial adapter portion 202 a, the second radial adapterportion 202 b and/or the inner sleeve 201 via and adhesive or fastenerssuch as rivets, screws and/or bolts to name a few examples.

In one example use of the adapter system 200, the first radial adapterportion 202 a may already be connected to the second radial adapterportion 202 b via tabs 203, which may be connected to the first radialadapter portion 202 a and second radial adapter portion 202 b via anadhesive, welding, or using any of the fastening methods given asexamples throughout the disclosure or as known in the art. Further, theinsulating member 206 may be contained between the first radial adapterportion 202 a and the second radial adapter portion 202 b as shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B and the inner sleeve 201 may be connected to any one ora combination of the first radial adapter portion 202 a, the secondradial adapter portion 202 b and/or the insulating member 206 via any ofthe fastening methods mentioned above. The first radial adapter portion202 a, second radial adapter portion 202 b, inner sleeve 201, andinsulating member 206 may be placed onto the second male interface 309 bof the second chimney portion 300 as shown in the cross-sectional viewsin FIGS. 3A and 3B, so that the top portion 211 a of the second radialadapter portion 202 b contacts the horizontal radial surface 301 b ofthe second male interface 309 b. Once the second radial adapter portion202 b and the inner sleeve 201 are placed onto the second male interface309 b of the second chimney portion 300, the first chimney portionfemale interface 105 a of the first chimney portion 100 may be alignedwith and placed onto the second male interface 309 b of the secondchimney portion 300 as shown in the cross-sectional views in FIGS.3A-4B. Once the first radial adapter portion 202 a is within the firstchimney portion female interface 105 a of the first chimney portion andthe top portion 211 a of the first radial adapter portion 202 a contactsthe spacing protrusions 127 a of the first female interface, the firstchimney portion 100 may be rotated in a first direction 13 a (FIG. 2)and/or the second chimney portion 300 may be rotated in a seconddirection 13 b, opposite the first direction, causing engagement betweenthe second chimney locking protrusion(s) 302 b and the second lockinginterface(s) 229 of the second radial adapter portion 202 b. Further,the aforementioned relative rotation may cause the first chimney lockingprotrusions 129 a to engage with the first locking interface orinterfaces 207 of the first radial adapter portion 202 a. Thus, therelative rotation of the first chimney portion 100 and the secondchimney portion 300 with the first radial adapter portion 202 a andsecond radial adapter portion 202 b placed therewithin allows the firstchimney 100 to properly connect to the second chimney portion 300. Oncethe first chimney portion 100 and the second chimney portion 300 areconnected via the aforementioned twist-and-lock procedure, the clampingring 204 may be placed around the flange 131 of the first chimneyportion and the flange 331 of the second chimney. The clamping ring 204may be subsequently tightened thus locking and preventing rotationbetween the first chimney portion 100 and the second chimney portion300.

The foregoing description of various aspects and examples have beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive nor to limit the disclosure to the formsdescribed. The embodiment(s) illustrated in the figures can, in someinstances, be understood to be shown to scale for illustrative purposes.Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings,including a combination of the abovementioned aspects. Some of thosemodifications have been discussed and others will be understood by thoseskilled in the art. The various aspects were chosen and described inorder to best illustrate the principles of the present disclosure andvarious aspects as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Thescope of the present disclosure is, of course, not limited to theexamples or aspects set forth herein, but can be employed in any numberof applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in theart. Rather, it is hereby intended the scope be defined by the claimsappended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adapter configured to couple a female end of a first chimney portion to a male end of a second chimney portion, the adapter comprising: a first radial adapter portion with a first inner surface and a first outer surface extending along a first axis, wherein the first inner surface and the first outer surface are coaxial; a first locking interface protruding outward from the first outer surface and configured to engage with a first locking interface of the first chimney portion; a second radial adapter portion with a second inner surface and a second outer surface extending along the first axis, wherein the second inner surface and the second outer surface are coaxial; a second locking interface protruding inward from the second inner surface and configured to engage with a second interlocking interface of the second chimney, wherein the first outer surface is configured to be received within the female end of the first chimney portion and the second inner surface is configured to receive the male end of the second chimney portion.
 2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the first outer surface of the first radial adapter portion forms a radial surface having a first radius and the second inner surface of the first radial adapter portion forms a second radial surface having a second radius, wherein the first radius and the second radius are different.
 3. The adapter of claim 2, wherein the first radius is smaller than the second radius.
 4. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the first locking interface of the adapter is configured to engage with a first locking interface of the first chimney portion when the adapter is oriented in a position within the female end of the first chimney portion and one of the first chimney portion and the adapter is rotated with respect to the other of the first chimney portion and the adapter and the second locking interface of the adapter is configured to engage with a second locking interface of the second chimney portion when male end of the second chimney portion is oriented to a position within the adapter and one of the second chimney portion and the adapter is rotated with respect to the other of the second chimney portion and the adapter.
 5. The adapter of claim 1, further comprising: an insulation member configured to be proximal to the first inner surface of the first radial adapter portion.
 6. The adapter of claim 5, wherein the radial insulation member further comprises a radial insulation member inner surface and a radial insulation member outer surface, wherein the insulation member inner surface and the insulation member outer surface are coaxial.
 7. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the second locking interface of the adapter is formed as a partially curved protrusion.
 8. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the second locking interface of the adapter is formed as an angled protrusion.
 9. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the first locking interface of the adapter is formed as a curved protrusion.
 10. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the first locking interface of the adapter is formed as an angled protrusion.
 11. An adapter system configured to couple a female end of a first chimney portion to a male end of a second chimney portion, the adapter system comprising: an adapter comprising: a first radial adapter portion with a first inner surface and a first outer surface extending along a first axis and, wherein the first inner surface and the first outer surface are coaxial; a first locking interface protruding outward from the first outer surface and configured to engage with a first locking interface of the first chimney portion; a second radial adapter portion with a second inner surface and a second outer surface extending along the first axis, wherein the second inner surface and the second outer surface are coaxial; a second locking interface protruding inward from the second inner surface and configured to engage with a second interlocking interface of the second chimney, wherein the first outer surface is configured to be received within the female end of the first chimney portion and the second inner surface is configured to receive the male end of the second chimney, wherein the adapter system further comprises: an inner sleeve configured to fit within the adapter, the first chimney portion, and the second chimney portion; and a clamping ring configured to interface with and hold together a first chimney portion flange of the first chimney and a second chimney portion flange of the second chimney portion.
 12. The adapter system of claim 11, wherein the first outer surface of the first radial adapter portion forms a radial surface having a first radius and the second inner surface of the first radial adapter portion forms a second radial surface having a second radius, wherein the first radius and the second radius are different.
 13. The adapter of claim 12, wherein the first radius is smaller than the second radius.
 14. The adapter system of claim 11, wherein the first locking interface is configured to engage with a first locking interface of the first chimney portion when the adapter is oriented in a position within the female end of the first chimney portion and one of the first chimney portion and the adapter is rotated with respect to the other of the first chimney portion and the adapter and the second locking interface of the adapter is configured to engage with a second locking interface of the second chimney portion when the male end of the second chimney portion is oriented to a position within the adapter and one of the second chimney portion and the adapter is rotated with respect to the other of the second chimney portion and the adapter.
 15. The adapter system of claim 11, wherein the second locking interface of the adapter is formed as a partially curved protrusion.
 16. The adapter system of claim 11, wherein the second locking interface of the adapter is formed as an angled protrusion.
 17. The adapter system of claim 11, wherein the first locking interface of the adapter is formed as a curved protrusion.
 18. The adapter system of claim 11, wherein the first locking interface of the adapter is formed as an angled protrusion. 